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Potter and company roar loudly

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals with
Langhorne Slim and the Law
Pabst Theater
Milwaukee, WI
January 20, 2013

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Review and photos by Jennifer Bronenkant

Vermont rocker Grace Potter and the Nocturnals packed the Pabst Theater last Sunday night. The crowd braved the bitter cold as they line up outside waiting for the doors to open to the general admission show. Potter is touring in support of her latest album "The Lion The Beast The Beat" and is also taking song requests via Twitter in advance of each show creating unique set lists for every night of the tour.

Langhorne Slim and the Law opened the night with an energetic set of raw rootsy music primarily from his latest album "The Way We Move" including title track "The Way We Move," "Past Lives," "Coffee Cups" and the touching tribute to his grandfather "Song For Sid." Slim got the crowd going with his infectious spirited music and his animated performance. He connected even more closely with the audience on a couple of songs where he sat on the edge of the stage and even jumped in with the crowd in the pit. Slim, a Pennsylvania native, is basically living on the road on constant tour these days and will be back to the Pabst on April 25 in support of "Lucero."

Potter opened by using her powerful voice to belt out the soulful "Nothing But The Water (I)" from her debut album before transitioning to the rocking "Nothing But The Water (II)" on her Gibson flying V guitar. Potter knows her assets and uses them well. To start with is her strong voice and wide vocal range but the other crowd pleaser is her legs that just won't quit. She showed them off wearing her signature short shorts and tall sandals. In almost constant motion, Potter danced and twirled her way through the show.

Switching between her flying V, acoustic guitar, keyboards and tambourine, Potter interplayed with her tight band often giving other members the spotlight as in the extended jam "Oasis." Mixed in with the rocking set were a few quieter moments like an acoustic "Things I Never Needed" which was performed for the first time on this tour at the request of a Twitter fan.

Towards the end of the show, Potter shed her shoes before singing Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit." She then finished the set with crowd favorites "Stars" and "The Divide" before doing "Paris" with the crowd singing along on the Oooh la la la la la la's.

Potter and the band returned to the stage for the pulsing title song the latest album "The Lion The Beast The Beat" and "Medicine." Finishing the night out was a beautiful cover of The Band's "I Shall Be Released" by Potter alone on the keyboards.

Although still in her twenties, Potter puts her own spin on a sound deeply rooted in rock's heyday years of the 1960's and 70's.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Set List:
Nothing But The Water (I & II) Ah Mary Turntable Goodbye Kiss Mastermind Joey Keepsake Oasis Things I Never Needed	One Short Night Here's To The Meantime Stop The Bus White Rabbit Stars The Divide Paris The Lion The Beast The Beat Medicine I Shall Be Released